Introduction to

the Disciplines
of Applied
Social Sciences
Definition Social Science
Social Sciences are disciplines
concerned with the systematic study of
social phenomena. Defined as the study
of human society; that particular area
of study that relates to human behavior
and society. Deals with the institutions,
the functioning of human society, and
with the interpersonal relationships of
individuals as members of society.
An Overview: Discipline of Social Science
The disciplines of social sciences generally
include: anthropology, economics, sociology,
political science, history, criminology,
psychology, geography, and communication
studies. The goal of these disciplines is to
explain human behavior in its many cultural
forms including the past and the present,
individually or in groups, national and
international geopolitical contexts, and to
empower them as democratic participants in
a rapidly changing world.
Definition of Applied Social Science
Applied social science is an integrated science
cutting across and transcending various social science
disciplines in addressing a wide range of issues in a
contemporary, innovative, and dynamic way. It aims at
presenting a well-developed understanding of social
systems, social theory, and social policy. It integrates
theory, social research, skills and professional
experience, and critical thinking skills necessary to fully
address social phenomena. Applied social science,
therefore, is a broad field that draws on a different
social theories and perspectives and combines theory
and practice drawn from different social disciplines that
highlight the complexity of social issues.
 The focus of applied social science
is less fixed and allows for specialisms
in other areas to provide perspectives.
It is very important to understand that
applied social science is not an
aggregation of various specialized
social science disciplines. It
transcends individual specialized
social science and find its true
essence through active engagement
with the larger society in action.
Relationship between Social Science
and Applied Social Science
Social sciences are more specific and focused on
a distinct facet of a social phenomenon while
applied social science attempts o focus on a
distinct issue but use insights arising from various
social science disciplines. While social science may
explore broadly their distinct disciplines, some of
their input may easily become applied while others
may remain theoretical. When social science
theories, concepts, methods, and findings again
application to problems identified in the wider
society, then applied social science is achieved.
Functions and Effects of Applied
Social Science
Social sciences are described as generators
of knowledge about the social world to cause
understanding. Applied social sciences
transcend this level through remain
essentially providers of focus. They cede
their passive stage to embrace the active
mode when they migrate into the applied
space. Therefore, the following may be
confused functions and effects of applied
social sciences.
 They generate knowledge in an organic
way for evidence-based actions and
solutions to social problems and issues.
They provide learning feedback by
simultaneously engaging the experts and
the stakeholders that form a social world.
 They cause social sciences to do things
rather than just remain a source of factual
knowledge with little or no utility at all.
 They generate practical solutions to
complex social problems.
 The provision of knowledge by social science
becomes the moral basis for applied science
to address the issues or problems of society.
 Communication provides accessibility to
information and thereby serves the rights of
an individual and the public to be informed
and to be heard by their elders and
communities.
 Counseling provides healing, courage, and
strength for an individual o face his/her
issues and take up the best possible option in
moment of life crises.
 The social work promotes social
change, problem solving in human
relationships, and the
empowerment and liberation of
people to enhance their holistic
well-being.